It’s the dead of winter and you need something alive and green in the house to give you hope for spring’s arrival. The garden centers are bare and you need to get your hands on some plants pronto! Check the houseplant section of local grocery stores and you’ll most likely find a nice array of leafy houseplants. Pick eight to ten 3-inch plants and make an inexpensive and accessible wreath anytime of year. I keep my leafy ring on a coffee table atop a pottery plate to keep the table protected from any moisture. It’s thriving and adds a living touch that each room deserves.
The following plants inspired me to create this leafy houseplant living wreath.
| 9-inch wreath base |
| 3 Polka-dot plants: Beautiful marbled green, white and pink leaves |
| 2 aluminum plants: Dark green foliage looks as if it has been brushed with metallic silver paint |
| 2 pileas (pronounced /py-lee-uh/): Thick leaves with a burgundy-coppery sheen have depressed veins, giving a quilted appearance |
| 2 strawberry begonias: Green rosette-like leaves show a blushing pink underside |
Planning The Design
If you can’t find the exact varieties listed above, there are sure to be other wonderful small houseplant varieties available. Always purchase small healthy-looking plants that will thrive in the same environment, from soil to light conditions.
Prepping the Plants
Gently remove the plants from their plastic pots. Using forceps, scrape off excess soil to expose the roots.
Planting
Start with a dampened wreath base.
With forceps or a screwdriver, make a hole through the moss and into the core of the wreath-base soil.
Grasp the base of the plant with forceps and gently slide the root ball inside. Tuck in any loose roots, and push the surrounding moss down around the base of the plant to secure.
Cluster the pilea plants together and then mix the other varieties all the way around the wreath, remembering to keep a sense of balance. Stagger and space plants every 3 inches.
Lay this wreath flat for two weeks before hanging to allow the roots to take hold.
Care
This leafy houseplant living wreath will do best in a medium filtered light location. Too much sun will damage the lush and tender foliage. Keep the wreath consistently moist by fully submerging it in water for two to three minutes once or twice a week. You can also give the wreath a long and gentle soak in a kitchen sink. Trim any browning leaves and pinch back new growth to keep the wreath more manicured. Houseplants prefer a monthly mild liquid fertilizer to keep them looking their best.
